The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-04-13
The TWIN BROTHERS.
by FRANK j. MARTIN.

On bright autumnal afternoon In the
year lS49, three we'll do farmers were
sitting on the veranda of the ancient and
unique Grand Hotel, in the village of
Lowndale, VT.
The discovery of gold in California was
the all-absorbing topic of the time. The
excitement became so general that it even
reached sleepy Lowndale. Our three
friends were talking the matter over, and
had just fallen into dreamy state through
the influence of the hot sun and their re-
cent energetic argument as TO the best over
land route to the god-felds.
They had given themselves up 10 the
most fanciful midsummer day dreams for
upward of an hour before they were dis
turbed bv the approach of horseman. He
came from the north, rode his sorrel mare
with grace, and was well known in the vii
lage. The three farmers raised their heads
mechanically, and looked up the road to-
ward the advancing horseman.
John Signerl" they exclaimed, with as
little energy as possible, and then fell back
into their old positions, after routing sun
dry dogs and cats that congregated about
their feet for the sole purpose of being as
lazy and Indifferent to the things of the
world as their masters.
John Signer was the horseman, and was
too we'll known in Lowndale TO excite even
He resided with his twin brother Albert,
about two miles north of the village. He
was noted as a daring rider and a dead
shot He was Just the friend to have when
in need, and the worst enemy you would
wish to meet in a tight place.
Albert, his brother, was as much like him
in disposition, features, and manners as
could be possible for twin brother to be.
They looked alike, walked alike, and were
in love with the same girl-Edna MIDI
way.
While dressing and looking alike was
conducive to harmony, loving the same girl
was different thing altogether. Neither
one had ever spoken TO the other about the
affair, yet each one was perfectly aware of
the movements and desires of the other.
Edna Midway, the object of their love,
was charming little country maiden of
eighteen summers. She liked John real
well, and thought great deal Of Albert.
To her they were alike; both talked
charmingly; both were handsome men, and
both were wealthy. What more could a
young lady want? The truth of the mat
ter, as it stood then, was she was in love
with both, but not deeply enough to be
able to distinguish one love from another.
Edna had received college education,
and, besides owning considerable land, she
was the only heir of rich old aunt with
whom she resided. Both Edna and her
aunt were we'll aware of the feeling that
existed between the brothers, and both
were in a quandary as to what TO do in the
pending crisis. Edna, not being able to
make up her mind, let matters drift along
in the same old way, and at the same time
kept the flame of love burning in the
breasts of the brothers.
On this particular bright day in October,
in, he harI
der the branches of huge pear tree. In
her lap was a work. basket, the contents of
which she was busily engaged in mending,
while at her feet sat Albert, reading glow,
ing accounts of California life from Bos-
Fton paper.
Edna did not pay very strict attention to
Albert or his reading, until he got up,
stretched himself. and said:
Edna, would like TO go out there and
try my luck, but"
"But what?" asked Edna innocently
enough.
~Bnt"- here Albert heard the clatter of
horses feet, but after assuring himself that
no one was looking he bent over her until
his face almost touched hers and continued:
But / would prefer to remain here, love
you and be loved in return"
sob. Albert! How foolish you areI
What would John say to this?"
"John! joint What do care for john"
whispered Albert, at the same time growing
deathly pale. "Yes, Edna, / lore you.
Will you be mine? Answer Edna"
Albert looked pleadingly into her large
hazel eyes. Edna remained silent and
thoughtful for few moments, but when
she was about to reply they We're both
startled by long, loud whistle whistle
they both knew to be Johns. They both
jumped to their feet, and there, sure
enough, was John leaning up against a
fence not ten yards distant.
John looked at both in silence for few
seconds, then turned, mounted his horse.
and rode away. No sooner had he turned
out of the lane than Albert made hasty
departure, telling Edna that he would re-
turn the next day TO hear her answer.
What occurred or what words passed be-
tween the brothers that night was mys-
terry for q long time. On the following
morning, however, John Signer turned UP
among the missing.
The village was thoroughly aeitated over
the affair. Albert could in no way account
for the strange disappearance OF his broth
er. No one had seen him on the previous
evening, and apparently there was no cause
for his strange conduct. But, after all, in
three months time the affair was forgotten.
There was one person who did not forget
conn 30 ehSilN, anu tnhJ WhS Euna.
Three years rolled away and found AL
bert still in Lowndale, and still counting
Edna; but in spite of all his passionate APP
peals she still refused TO become his wife.
She had at last learned which one of the
brothers she loved. and it was John. True,
John was away, where she could not tell,
yet she consoled herself with tbs idea that
he would return some day.
Albert prospered so we'll that 1t became
necessary for him TO erect new and more
substantial barns and storehouses on his
farm. Accordingly he hired dozen men,
and set about demolishing the old ones
When the workmen came to tear up the
flooring Of certain barn, they were horri.
fed to find the complete skeleton of n man
lying under it.
Once more the village was wrought into
fever heat over the strange case. Suppo-
.sitious framed themselves into convictions
and the outcome of Ia, wllde 6ffai1 was
that Albert was arrested, placed in jail. anC
charged with the murder Of his brother
John.